March 21, 2000
(Industry, Trade and Technology)

Newfoundland and Labrador announces sponsorship for Softworld 2000

The Department of Industry, Trade and Technology, Operation ONLINE Inc., and the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Technology Industries (NATI) are pleased to announce their joint export initiative in the international partnering forum at Softworld 2000, taking place in Halifax, Nova Scotia from October 15-18.

"We are pleased to again be a sponsor of Softworld, and we hope to bring a strong delegation of our talented and innovative technology companies to the event in October," said Industry, Trade and Technology Minister Sandra Kelly. "Softworld is an ideal venue for facilitating new partnerships and business deals for our local companies in the technology industry."

Of particular focus at this event will be the brokering of partnerships and relationships with companies to meet their needs through the skill and capabilities available within the province�s technology industry.

"One of our strongest assets is our people. Newfoundland and Labrador has a highly qualified, stable IT workforce and cost-effective business environment and as a result we are winning new contracts around the world," said Jack Botsford, president and CEO of Operation ONLINE, a public/private partnership established to advance growth in Newfoundland and Labrador�s IT sector.

Two years ago, Softworld �98 was held in Newfoundland and Labrador and was hailed as one of the most successful shows in the event�s nine year history. Softworld �98 drew a record number of 775 delegates from around the globe and recorded 30 deals up to the close of the event. As the organizer and host of Softworld �98, the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Technology Industries knows firsthand the incredible opportunity Softworld presents.

"Our industry has experienced significant growth and opportunities flowing directly from Softworld �98. We recognize the value of Softworld as a unique business to business networking opportunity. Newfoundland and Labrador has significant competitive advantages to offer the international IT community, and we view Softworld 2000 as a premier forum to showcase these advantages," said NATI president and Softworld 2000 board member Jeff Tulk.

One of the most significant deals that took place as a result of Softworld �98 was the establishment of DP Solutions Inc., a North Carolina-based software development firm, in Grand Falls-Windsor. The company has already hired over 40 people and has the potential to create several hundred more jobs in Newfoundland and Labrador over the next several years.

Softworld �99, held in Vancouver, also resulted in several new deals for the province. Operation ONLINE signed a partnering agreement with the technology sector in Costa Rica to facilitate technology transfer, skills development, and access to new export markets for both regions. In addition, Pivotal Networks, an organization that assists companies in developing Java and network computing technologies, signed a deal at Softworld �99 with KL Group Inc. of Toronto. The deal includes the transfer of over $20,000 in software products from KL Group to Pivotal Networks and initiated a relationship between the two organizations for product promotion, testing, and development.

This year Softworld 2000 will bring together decision-makers and industry influencers from the technology sector in Canada, the US, Europe and the Pacific Rim. Over 1,000 executives from 40 countries are expected to participate in Softworld 2000, both online and face-to-face in Halifax in October. Softworld�s new �e-match� feature will enable companies and organizations to begin the networking process online, well ahead of the actual event.

For further information, contact:

Jacqueline Simon, Communications
Department of Industry, Trade and Technology
(709) 729-0050

Lori Churchill, Communications Manager
Operation ONLINE Inc.
(709) 729-4230

2000 03 21                                             10:20 a.m.